Mailing-machine



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. A. HORTON. MAILINGMAOHINE,

No. 519,185. Patented May 1,1894.

WITNESSES A TTORNEYS.

THE NATIONAL \LITHOGRAFHING COMPANY- wAm-nua'rou, B. 0.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2.

- J. A. HORTON.

MAILING MACHINE.

Patented May 1, 1894.

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ATENT Enron.

JAMES A. HORTON, OF GREENF I ELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

MAILING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 519,185, dated May 1, 1894.

Application filed August 3, 1893.

and useful Improvements in Mailing Machines, ofwhich the following is a full, clear,

and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in hand-operated machines, for successively affixing printed addresses on folded newspapers and like printed matter, by pasting and subsequently cutting a single address slip orlabel from a continuous roll, and simultaneously affixing the severed label upon a newspaper, magazine, or the wrappers of such folded publications.

The objects of my invention are, to provide a novel device of the indicated type, which will be reliable and convenient in use, be adapted for easy and rapid operation, afford means for the ready adjustment of its working parts to maintain them in good working condition, and which will be furnished with adjustable and reversible cutting knives whichincrease the utility of the machine.

To these ends my invention consists in the construction, and combination of parts, as is hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views shown.

Figure 1 is a side view of the device taken in the direction of the arrow 1, in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the machine. Fig. 3 is a longitudinalsectional View on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4. is a longitudinal sectional View, on the line 4 -4 in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a front end view, in the direction of the arrow 5, in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view, on the line 6-6 in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the front portion of the device, taken on the line 77 in Fig. 5, in the direction of indicating ar-.

rows; and Fig. 8 is a partly sectional side view of details of construction, on the line 8-8 in Fig. 5.

The main frame of the machine is preferably formed of sheet metal, consisting of the elongated parallel side plates 10, which are bent from the fiat bottom plate 11, that spaces the sides sufficiently to adapt the frame for Serial No. 482,255. (No model.)

the support of the working parts. The sides 10 are secured together on their upper edges by the transverse brace plate 12, and forwardly on each side wall two posts 13. are erected, which at their upper ends, are joined together by the yoke-plate 14. that at its transverse center affords support to the forward end of a handle-piece 115, which is secured thereto, the rear end of this longitudinally extending handle-piece being attached by a bracket foot 15" to the brace plate 12. -,The rear portions of the side plates 10 are made higher than parts of the same that are below the main portion of the handle-piece 15, these higher portions being circular on their edges so as to adapt them to retain a paper roll 16 from lateral displacement, the latter being wrapped upon a removable supporting shaft 17 which is transversely inserted in opposite perforations formed in the sides of the frame and provided with a milled head 17% at one end, for convenient manipulation. Below the posts 13 a rectangular paste holder 18, in dish form, is located, which is of suitable dimensions and is retained in place by its loose lateral contact with the frame sides 10, the end walls of the holder loosely engaging two trans verse strips formed on or secured upon the upper surface of the bottom plate 11, of the machine frame, when the holder is slid downwardly in place; its free removal being permitted if it is lifted to clear said strips.

It is essential for the proper operation of the improvement, that the ribbon roll of paper 16, whereon the different addresses are consecutively printed, should be arranged for a forward extension of one of its ends, and that means be provided for successively feeding said end of the ribbon or paper toward the forward end of the machine, where the address slips are to be severed from the roll. It is also necessary that the latter, where it passes over the paste dish or holder, should receive a thin coating of paste therefrom on its unprinted side. To these ends, the paper ribbon 16 is first extended to the guide-clip 19 that is detachably secured upon the upper edges of the side walls on the paste holder 18, and made to engage with the folded lips 19 formed on the guide clip, passing between said lips and the flat plate they are parts of, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6.

There is a distributing roller 20 journaled at its ends in upright guides that are oppositely produced on the inner surface of the sides of the paste holder 18, at points that will locate the roller near the front wall 18 of said holder, the guides terminating below the open boxes whereon the journals of the roller rest and rotate. Such a proportionate diameter is given to the roller 20, as will project its upper surface above the front wall 18 and also above the front end of the guide clip 19 which is downwardly inclined to effect this, and also to create such necessary friction on the paper ribbon, as will restrain it from a too free forward movement. In front of the holder wall 18 two paper feeding rollers 21 and 22, are rotatably supported, the lower roller 21, having its journaled ends located in orifices in the sides 10, and also in an inner bracket frame 10, these engaged perforations being upwardly and slightly elongated to permit a restricted reciprocation of the roller toward and from the upper roller 22. Acoiled wire spring 21 is mounted upon and secured by one end to a transversely extending carrier rod 21", which is placed between the roller and the front wall 18, of the paste holder, said rod having its ends so cured in the side walls of the inner frame 10. The free end of the coiled spring 21, is bent forwardly and so curved near its terminal as to adapt it to engage the lower side of the roller 21, and the latter being circumferentially grooved throughout its length, receives the spring end in one of said grooves near the longitudinal center of the roller.

The upper feeding roller 22, that has its periphery longitudinally grooved or milled, is journaled in the side walls of the bracket frame 10, and has its reduced journal ends projected beyond the side walls 10, of the main frame, spur pinions 22 and 22 of preferably equal diameter being located on and secured to its journal ends. The pinion 22, is meshed with a similar pinion 21, that is affixed upon the projected end of the lower roller 21, which will adapt these rollers to rotate simultaneously when the upper roller is revolved, which motion is received from a large gear wheel .23, that is rotatably supported on a stud 23, which has a secured ongagement with the upper end of a bracket arm 24, that is screw-bolted upon the outer side of one of the frame sides 10, below the post 13, on that side of the frame, as shown in Fig. l.

The gear wheel 23, is actuated by a meshing pinion 25, that is secured upon a projecting end of the shaft whereon the thumb roller 25 is affixed, said roller being located between the parallel limbs of the yoke plate 14, and journaled thereon, by projecting ends of its supporting shaft.

The arrangement of parts is such, that when the thumb roller25, is moved in the direction of an arrow or, in Figs. 1 and 4, the feeding rollers 21 and 22, will be revolved toward each other, and away from the paste distributing roller 20, which movement will move the extended portion of the paper ribbon 16, toward the front edge of the main frame when said paper strip is introduced between the rollers mentioned.

On the bottom plate 11 of the main frame, a knife holder block 26, is secured, which block is level on top, and has a rib upwardly projected along its rear edge. On the block 26, a cutter blade 27, is imposed and held against the rib by the screws 28, that are inserted upwardly in threaded perforations made near each end of the blade and oppositely through the block, so as to clamp the cutter blade 27, in place with one side edge projected slightlyin advance of the supporting block, which edge is bevel sharpened so that it will be adapted to cut on the upper front acute angular corner of the blade from end to end of the same.

A novel feature of the device consists of the mechanism provided for the support and swinging movement of the upper cutter blade 28, that is similar to the cutter blade 27,comprisingaknife bar 29, that is recessed on the lower side to receive said cutter blade and afford a ledge along the front edge of the bar through which adjusting screws 28, are inserted, to bear on the adjacent edge of the cutter blade 28; the latter being adjustably and removably clamped upon the knife bar by the screws 28 that pass through transversely elongated holes in the knife bar,'and engage screw -threaded perforations in the cutter blade. The knife bar 29, is pivotally sustained in position, extended across the front end of the machine frame so that the blade 28 will be parallel with and near to the lower cutter blade 27, by its loose connection with the hearing block 30, that is affixed upon the outer surface of the main frame side wall 10, near the large gear wheel 23, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. The headed pivot bolt 29, which serves to loosely support the knife bar 29 on the bearing block 30, passes through a transverse perforation in the bar near one end and is secured thereon, the body of the bolt passing loosely through the bearing block, and on its end portion which extends rearwardly beyond the bearing block a thread is produced for the reception of the shouldered nut 29, the spiral spring 29, that is mounted upon the projection of the bolt being engaged at its ends with the side of the bearing block and shoulder of the nut, so that the spring may be compressed and the contact of the cutter blade 28, with the lower blade 27 be regulated, by an adjustment of the nut 29". An additional means for longitudinally adjusting the pivot bolt 29, consists of the set screw bolt 31, that is in threaded engagement with the limb 24, which depends from the bracket arm 24, and projects outwardly from the latter a sufficient distance to axially align the set screw bolt with the pivot bolt, that it is caused to centrally impinge on its cupped ICC IIO

end. A jamnut 31*, that is adjustable on the threaded body of the set screw bolt 31, affords means to secure the latter from rotatlon when it is caused to bear upon the rear side of the limb 24, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The knife bar 29, is extended outwardly from its pivot bolt 29, to afford an car 29, that is laterally perforated near its outer end for the reception of a finger 29, that is fastened in said perforation and .projects rearwardly a short distance.

A rocking plate 32, is loosely secured tothe main frame of the machine, and projects helow the bottom plate 11, at the front edge of the same, extending rearwardly a suitable distance the width of the plate being equal to that of the frame, to which said plate is connected by the rearwardly projecting arm 32, that is formed on or secured to a side edge of the plate, and has aloose contact with the side wall 10 of the frame externally and below the bearing block 30, to which side wall this arm is pivoted near the rear end of the latter, as shown at 32 in Fig. 1. From the rocking plate 32, another arm 32, is outwardly and upwardly projected below the bearing block 30,and parallel with the knife bar 29, the outer end of said arm being conicallyperforated on the side nearest to the.

ear 29 on the bar, so as to receive the outer end of the finger 29, that loosely fits the perforation.

The bearing block 30, is perforated above and parallel with the perforation in it that contains the pivot bolt 29. The higher aperture which is located nearer of the frame than the pivot aperture, is pro vided for the reception of the forwardly projecting stud 33, that is retained in place by the set screw 33, its insertion in the block being limited by the annular flange 33*, secured on the stud near its center of length. There is a kerfed head formed on the forward end of the adjustable stud 33, and between said head and the flange 33", a coiled spring 34, is placed on the body of the stud, having one end inserted in a perforation of the flange or collar 33", and its other end portion projected as a finger toward the V-grooved head of the adjustable set screw 35, that has a threaded engagement with an upwardly projected car 35, formed on the upper surface of the knife bar 29, a jam-nut 35, serving to secure the set screw at any point of adjustment in the car.

A bridge for the support of the paper ribben 16, is located between the circumferentially groovedlower feeding roller21, and the front edge of the lower cutter blade 27, said bridge consisting of a transverse rod 36, having its ends secured in the side walls of the bracket frame 10 so as to maintain the rod parallel with the roller, fingers being forwardly extended from the bridgerod to carry the paper over the lower cutter blade and dithe side wall 10,.

rect it below a guide bar 37, which is secured to the bracket frame 10*, by its ends, and lies parallel with and near to the front cutting edge of the blade 27, a sufficient space intervening the blade and guide rod to permit the paper ribbon 16, to be forwardly moved between them and thus be loosely pressed upon the upper side of the lower cutter blade 27.

The rocking plate 32, is adapted by its gravity and the force of the spring 34, to swing downwardly into the position indicated in Figs. 1, 5 and 7,. the descent of the plate being limited by the engagement of the rear end of the arm 32, with the screw-stud 24, that also serves as a securing bolt for the bracket arm 24:.

It will be seen, that from the relative arrangement of parts, the lifting of the entire machine by the operator who grasps the handle piece 15, will permit the plate 32, to elevate the knife bar 29, into the upwardly inclined position shown in Fig. 5, the downward pressure of the plate on the wrapper of a newspaper or other folded paper, causing the knife bar and attached cutter blade, to swing downwardly, effecting a shearing action along the edge of the lower cutter blade that it is set to bear against with a slight pressure, thereby severing a label slip from the paper roll 16,

that has been forwardly fed by the thumb or 9 finger of the operator which has engagement with the roller 25, to partially rotate it.

The knife bar 29, is mounted loose on the pivot bolt 29, so that the adjustment of the limb of the spring 34, to press toward the car 35, will throw the free end of the knife bar toward the lower cutter blade 27, at the end portion engaged with the outer end of the top cutter blade 28, hence a slightdullness of the blades at these ends will be compensated for and a clear out effected.

The adjustment just mentioned is effected by altering the position of the screw bolt 35, so as to cause its grooved head to press upon the spring limb that engages it, the degree of pressure given to the cutter blade at its heel or outer end, being thus accurately gaged to suit the condition of the cutter blades. By turning the stud 33, the lifting pressure of the spring limb on the coiled spring 34, may be increased or diminished, so that the elevation of the knife bar-29, may be quickened when this is necessary. a

The adjustment of the entire knife bar and upper cutter blade 28, toward or from the lower cutter blade 27, is produced by regulating-the pressure of the set screw bolt 31, upon the end of the pivot bolt 29.

As before mentioned, the addresses are printed in sequence on the paper ribbon 16, which is rolled upon the transverse shaft 17, is extended through the guide clip plate 19, and is then made to pass over and bear upon the upper surface of the paste distributing roller 20, that becomes coated by immersion in the paste in the holder 16, the surface of the extended ribbon being imposed upon the roller 20.

When the operator lifts the machine and manipulates the thumb roller 25 aproper degree an address slip or label will be projected in advance of the lower cutter blade 27, this action being rapidly controlled by reason of the multiplying gear intervening the pinion 25 and the feed roller pinions,aslight movement only of the roller 25, being necessary to project an ordinary address slip into position for its severance from the ribbon roll. The forward movement of the ribbon causes it to bear slightly upon the upper edge of the front wall 18 of the paste holder, which wall is notched as shown. This sliding contact with said wall will scrape the surplus paste from the paper and return it to the holder 18, the notches permitting a proper amount of paste to remain on the ribbon.

The lower feeding roller 22, is circumferem tially grooved as before mentioned to prevent it from removing the paste from the label or address slip, which will be fed squarely between the rollers 21 and 22, by the operator as he lifts the machine.

By the simple action of pressing the rocking plate 32, upon a package or newspaper that is to be addressed for mailing, the address slip will be cut off, and pressed down upon the paper package by the lower surface of the downwardly moving knife bar 29, which movement is produced by reason of the arm 32, of the rocking plate pressing upwardly on the finger 29, and the limb of the knife bar that is the support for said finger.

The cutter blades 27 and 28, are preferably bevel sharpened on each edge, so as to be reversible, which will lengthen the time of useful service before the blades will require regrinding to sharpen them.

It is claimed for this device that by the peculiar construction and arrangement of its parts, lightness is afforded, speed of action is permitted, and positive accuracy is attainable by a proper manipulation of the device.

shaft journaled therein, a paste holding dish in the frame, a removable clip plate on the rear of the dish, adapted to guide a paper ribbon fed from theshaft,a removable paste distributing roller in the dish, a spring-pressed circumferentially-grooved lower feed roller loosely sustained in elongated perforations in v the sides of the frame, a longitudinally milled upper feed roller rotatable in the frame, and cutters for severing the paper strip, as shown and described.

3. In a mailing machine, a pivoted knife bar carrying an adjustable and removable upper cutter blade, a set screw adjustable in an ear projecting from said knife bar, and a coiled spring adj ustably sustained on the frame of the machine, and having a limb projecting therefrom and engaging a groove in the head of the set screw, substantially as described.

4. In a mailing machine, the combination with a fixed knife bar and a swinging knife bar, of a sliding pivot bolt for the latter, a spring coiled upon said bolt, an adjusting or set screw aligned with the pivot bolt and adapted to bear upon its head, and a device for locking the screw in any adjustment, as shown and described.

JAMES A. HORTON. -Witnesses:

CHAUNOEY WING, EBEN A. HALL. 

